The TV celebrity was among a specially invited audience in north London to hear Mr Miliband warn young voters they needed to register in order to stop the UK quitting the EU.

Mr Miliband was widely ridiculed during last year's general election campaign for agreeing to be interviewed by Russell Brand at the comedian's home.

Mr Essex voiced concerns made to him by workers at Billingsgate fish market about French trawlers during the question and answer session of Mr Miliband's appearance.

"So, I went down Billingsgate fish market on the weekend, and I was speaking to them guys there, and they kept telling me that basically the French nick our fish, they fish in our waters, they don't nick our fish, but they fish in our waters, and then they take the fish back to France... what would you say to those guys?" Mr Essex said.

Mr Miliband initially asked four young voters who had already addressed the room to answer Mr Essex's question.

The ex-Labour leader then said it was important for EU nations to work together.

Leave campaigner and Tory MP James Cleverly insisted EU membership was damaging for young people.

"Ed Miliband's cynical attempt to convince young people otherwise will fool no-one. After his failed efforts to court the youth vote via Russell Brand last year, you'd think he would know better," he said.